The Hellenistic Empire is G.R.E.A.T.S. like Alexander the GREAT! *Sofia and Jacob*

INTRODUCTION:

  • The Hellenistic Empire went from 323 BCE to 30 BCE.
  • The Empire was ruled by Philip II and Alexander The Great.
*Sofia*

GOVERNMENT:

  • The Hellenistic Empire was a monarchy.
  • The monarchy first started with Philip II from Macedonia, and then Alexander, his son, continued to make the empire grow.
Alexander was a skilled soldier and only 20 when he became King.
  • He never lost a battle, and he was determined to accomplish his father's dream and invade Persia. Alexander was swift and brutal with his punishments.
  • The power of City-states disappeared after Alexander the Great became the King.
  • When Alexander died, there was no heir so the Empire went through some years of disorder.
Three Generals ended up dividing the Empire into: Macedonia and Greece, Egypt, and Most of Persia.
The Generals ended up fighting over the land for 300 more years.
Alexander The Great
Alexander The Great

Alexander The Great

Map of Alexander's Empire. The Hellenistic Empire.
Map of Alexander's Empire. The Hellenistic Empire.

Map of Alexander's Empire. The Hellenistic Empire.
*Sofia*


RELIGION:

  • Polytheists: believed in numerous gods.
  • Visited Oracles for fortunes.
  • Believed Alexander the Great was related to Greek god Zues, Egyptian god Amon
  • Ruler was sometimes considered living god.
  • There was a loss of political supremacy for individual states, which increased the popularity of "mystery religions", cults that often learned deeper secrets of the mysteries as they deepened into the religion. This made the religion much more individualistic, the focus was on personal redemption, opposed to public redemption.
*Emily*

ECONOMY:

  • Most coins had picture of the King, which were often used.
  • Babylonians had surgeons and physicians who could drain tumors, set broken bones, and assist in healing of other injuries.
  • Marble was traded from Greece, spices from Arabia, and ivory from east Africa.
  • Some parts of the empire used physical money, others traded items.
  • Alexandria was central trade city, and controlled manufacturing and trading of papyrus
*Emily*

ART:

  • They carved every bone and muscle in the human body to make them look more realistic in their sculptures
  • They carved ordinary people, gods, and heroes
  • Larger and grander than classical greek buildings
  • They advanced in architecture, sculptures, and art like mosaics
  • The materials that they used were marble, clay, and rock
  • The Hellenistic architects built large and spectacular buildings, palaces, and temples
external image 1198693946_3cc74def61.jpg
external image 1198693946_3cc74def61.jpg

This is a picture of the Nike of Samothrace. This was discovered in 1863 and is estimated to be from 190 BC. It was not created for the god Nike, but for a sea battle. It conveys the action and triumph throughout the battle.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1086/1198693946_3cc74def61.jpg
external image equestrian_officer.JPG
external image equestrian_officer.JPG

This sculpture portrays a a horse with an office on it made of of marble. The horse is said to be galloping gently. This statue is believed to be created at about 100 BC.

http://www.greek-thesaurus.gr/images/p7/equestrian_officer.JPG
external image testa_di_apollo_liceo_di_prassitele_sqlarge.jpg
external image testa_di_apollo_liceo_di_prassitele_sqlarge.jpg

This is a marble sculpture of a hellenistic hero.
*Jacob*

TECHNOLOGY: technology of seizecraft advances in complexity and effectiveness.

  • engineering advancements- better artillery for improving defense in fortification- defensive military work done to protect and strengthen
  • improved seize engines became standard
  • branches of sciences- astronomy, math, medicine, engineering improved in technology
  • Alexander used weapons- seize engines
  • Phillip 2 of Macedonean- main developement- tortion catapults- machines put high tension to raise the force in missile
  • Archemedes invented screw somehow lifted water- in irrigation system
  • Ctesibius of Alexander- improved devices that use air like an air pump

903010wt.jpg
903010wt.jpg

http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/849849?terms=Hellenistic+- from page
seige weapon

external image Garni_Additional_2.JPG
external image Garni_Additional_2.JPG

http://www.explorearmenia.net/images/Garni_Additional_2.JPG
based off of Greek culture


external image ballista.jpg
external image ballista.jpg

http://www.shoshone.k12.id.us/medieval/images/ballista.jpg
Ballista- missile launcher to hurl long arrows or heavy balls.
*Sophie*

Society:Based off of Alexander's empire

  • Greek culture, language, and custom
  • women- controlled property, took part in successful Egyptian economy and the cultural life in the large cities, went to marketplaces
  • Poor women would work in shops and squares to earn living. Many were wet- nurses.
  • professional women- food preparation, selling in shops, clothing manufacture
  • Alexander's short but influential reign made him master of ancient world.
  • changed the concept of kingship- kings were living g-ds or g-ds special helper or representative
  • location-area between Greece and India
  • mix of cultures
  • powerful independent monarchies
*Sophie*

SUMMARY:


Some of The Hellenistic Empire's greatest achievements are having a new school of thought, philosophy, stoicism, basic geometry and many more. The Hellenistic Empire could also be thought of having the most advanced military. Euclid wrote the basic elements for geometry, and Pythagoras created the Pythagorean formula which are both key concepts in today's math. They also had a rich culture that created a strong and educated society. As you can notice in the maps, Alexander conquered much land, and it was all gained in little time; this made the Empire one of the civilizations that progressed the best.
*Sofia*